PARKING will be free at several car parks managed by Dorset Council in the run up to Christmas. 

The offer is running in the council's car parks in Blandford, Corfe Castle, Ferndown, Gillingham, Shaftesbury, Sherborne, Sturminster Newton, Wareham, and Wimborne. 

This includes Small Business Saturday on December 7, when the council takes part in the national campaign to support small businesses. 

Details of all the car parks and free parking dates can be seen on the council's Christmas parking webpages at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/free-christmas-parking. 

In the participating Dorset Council car parks, the JustPark app and ticket machines will be set to no charge.  

Dorset Council’s offer this Christmas marks a stark contrast to BCP Council, where there will be no free parking or even discounted parking in any of its car parks. 

Jon Andrews, cabinet member for place services, said: “We’re bringing our own slice of Christmas cheer to Dorset this November and December.  

“You’ll be able to enjoy free parking in many of our car parks on selected days and spend extra time in Dorset’s delightful shops. 

“This offer includes Small Business Saturday on December 7 the national campaign to support local businesses by shopping locally.” 

Other providers, such as town councils, may also offer free parking in the run-up to Christmas, please check the car park’s charges boards/ticket machines for details. 

On-street parking charges and private car park charges will still apply.  

Swanage Town Council is also offering £2 parking all day between November 1 and March 31 at its Main Beach, Broad Road and North Beach car parks. 

And the New Forest District Council for four days in the run up to Christmas, which includes in Ringwood, New Milton, Lymington and Fordingbridge. 

December 7, the last weekend before Christmas on December 21 and 22 and an additional day where town and parish councils may request free parking in support of their Christmas events will have the offer. 

BCP Council, whose cabinet will be told to raise parking fares in line with inflation, said it cannot afford to lose the estimated £200k it would lose by offering free parking. 

Mike Cox, deputy leader, said that money would go towards statutory services. The decision to axe free Christmas parking was made in 2022.